Trusted Travel Board,

I have a one week tripped planned for Paris for the wife and I in about 6 weeks. We are open to spending a few of those days in other French cities as long as I make it back to Paris for the flight home. This is our last big hoorah before the baby is born in June.

Are there any recommendations on how we should spend the time? I've seen from other posts that Dinan is awesome as well as Loire Valley. The wife is geared more toward French hill country as opposed to D-Day beaches (although I do think that would be awesome). I figured we could get around by train while we're there.

eat at Le Relais de l'Entrecote and le bouillon chartier

would suggest catacombs tour, but that's a ton of stairs

hang out at trocadero in the evenings for the eiffel light show

bayeux is really neat, with a ton of history (and it's a great starting spot for ww2 tours),, 3 hour train from paris

Honestly, just stay in Paris.

If you must go somewhere else, i highly recommend getting a private guide in Bayeux for the Normandy beaches. Drive in one evening, spend the night, then do the tour, and drive back to Paris that evening.

We will be there this spring and are taking train to Beaune, then wine tour/tasting for a day in Burgundy. You can find small group tours as cheap as $130/person. We found one tha includes a Michelin star restaurant, so will probably do that.
No matter what you do it's cold and rainy that time of year.

L'Orangarie...It has Monet's full "Lilies" paintings. It's impressive. Not many people know about it.

Pere Lachaise Cemetery to see Jim Morrison's grave. Why not, you're in Paris. BTW, it's a little one stuck in the back...

Sacre Coeur. It's an AMAZING view over Paris since it's way up on top of a hill.

La Marais...the Jewish quarter. Really quirky. I saw some cool stuff there.

Or just find one of the MANY little parks they have and go wander around it or just sit and people watch. It's kind of peaceful. Grab yourself a crepe before you go so you have something to munch on.

But, do go by the Cricketer on Rue des Mathurins. I had many drinks there staying at the hotel across the street. It's an English pub and they always have hot bartenders...Swedish and Russian were my favorites.

random question, but what is generally speaking the more affordable trip? Paris or Florence/Tuscany areas?

southernskies said:

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Trusted Travel Board,

I have a one week tripped planned for Paris for the wife and I in about 6 weeks. We are open to spending a few of those days in other French cities as long as I make it back to Paris for the flight home. This is our last big hoorah before the baby is born in June.

Are there any recommendations on how we should spend the time? I've seen from other posts that Dinan is awesome as well as Loire Valley. The wife is geared more toward French hill country as opposed to D-Day beaches (although I do think that would be awesome). I figured we could get around by train while we're there.

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With only one week I would strongly suggest spending that time in/around Paris and the surrounding region. There is plenty of sites to see that will take at least that long.

Take separate return trips to Normandy and the French Alps.

My impression is that Italy would be cheaper, but I'll let someone else who's done it more recently chime in.

schmendeler said:

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My impression is that Italy would be cheaper, but I'll let someone else who's done it more recently chime in.

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Paris is expensive (esp. lodging). Other French cities/regions are generally very affordable.

Quote:

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le bouillon chartier

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100%. Fantastic experience

Affordable paris

https://www.fodors.com/world/europe/france/paris/experiences/news/photos/11-romantic-restaurants-in-paris-that-wont-break-the-bank

https://www.eiffelseinehotel.paris/en

Edit: ok so when I stayed at that hotel a few years ago it was about a 100 eu a night, prices look to have doubled. Still a great location, right by a subway stop, walkable to eiffel tower

You could do day(ish) trips for Versailles, Champagne, Normandy (long day), and very easily fill your remaining time in Paris.

Going to Paris in March with 4 kids and 4 adults (8 total). For that size party should we be making dinner reservations? Ideally we'd like one casual night (bouillon or brasserie) then another night at a more traditional bistro.

Any suggestions in the Passy neighborhood? Also looking for options in the 2/8/9 arrondissements.

Just a word of warning: Pregnant American women have a hard time eating while in France. SOOO much of the best foods are raw (or near it) and unpasteurized. Don't be too surprised if you have to dial it back on your meals because she starts getting jealous. Ask me how I know...

ETA So I don't sound too negative: Annecy is absolutely the most beautiful vacation spot (at least that I have been to) in Europe. Mostly native French tourists, so English-speaking can be difficult at time (especially when asking if something is unpasteurized...), so it is so absolutely worth it. Not very close to Paris though.

I second the above poster re: Sacre Coeur… it's like a 12ish min Uber ride (if memory serves) from the heart of the city. Really cool patio restaurants around the area as well. The view is unbelievable.

I wonder how pregnant French women fare in France?